Jess Weiner (a nationally known body image advocate) does a 180 and writes a piece called "How Loving My Body Almost Killed Me". It should also be noted that she's launching a Conscious Weight WellnessTM (yep, already trademarked) speaking gig, announced the day after the article, only reinforcing the idea that weight loss sells (honestly, I do believe the marketing idea came after her desire to lose weight BUT still). Also, pre-pre-diabetes didn't "almost kill you." Just sayin'. Sorry- I'm a cynic.

3 comments:

hm
said...

I don't know much about Jess Weiner (what a crappy name to have though, right??? wow), but I actually liked that article by her. She seems a bit dramatic, but still seems to be preaching the same message- love yourself. She's just adding "take care of yourself" on to the love yourself piece. And also admitting that she's not some superwoman w/the power of perfect self-esteem- I appreciate that. She had to be reminded by her doctor to be ok w/her weight since her health numbers were better.

I very much liked the Back on the Wagon article too. REALLY nicely worded and good graphics- a satisfying read. And very encouraging for the ed sufferer who is trying to recover and struggles w/black-and-white thinking- I just screwed up, so it's over. I lost the game so I forfeit. No- our hard work doesn't go to waste. Not only have we already gone through some of those stages, but I'd like to think (hope) that we've worn at least a slight groove in our psyche that we can retrace- it won't be as painfully difficult to clear the path the second/third/fourth/hundredth time through. The weeds grow back, sure, but you can still see the path under there- whereas you had to make it as you went the first time through.

I liked the article by Jess Weiner. A similar version appeared in some of the UK papers. Understandably, this type of article can be 'triggering' for people with AN because it conflicts with what they are being told about recovery. But there is a wealth of evidence supporting the health risks of obesity. Underweight and overweight are both risks to health. The 'rules' that apply to these extremes are different, and one of the biggest difficulties people with AN have is black/white thinking. What is bad for one person may not be bad for another. The main difficulty with regard to obesity is that weight loss often leads to yo-yo dieting and ultimate weight gain that exceeds previous levels. For most overweight people, diets don't work, which is a basis of the HAES movement.

I take Thomas Insel's points about mental illness as brain disorders, and in this article he makes a good argument as to why one might consider mental illness as brain disorder. There is no doubt that many mental illnesses are accompanied by measurable differences in neurological functioning relative to individuals who don't show signs of mental illness. A major concern that I have relates to how this will affect treatment, and the likely use of more medication as opposed to talking therapy. It is extremely well documented that abused children with socially constructed mental illness have disordered brain function/neural circuits, which seems to be at odds with Insel's statement "one thing we can say already is that earlier notions of mental disorders as .... social constructs are beginning to look antiquated".

I was quite interested in the Radio Cornwall feature, but was totally put off upon discovering that the photo they have up for you to look at while you listen is of a naked skinny ribcage. Really, they could have thought that one through... But then, I've found precious few ED features in mainstream media that manage to steer clear of the 'shock factor'.Thanks for all the links =)

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I'm a science writer, a jewelry design artist, a bookworm, a complete geek, and mom to a wonderful kitty. I am also recovering from a decade-plus battle with anorexia nervosa. I believe that complete recovery is possible, and that the first step along that path is full nutrition.